Environmental Health Specialist Trainee
Oregon Laws and Rules Examination
To obtain an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee registration, applicants must complete an Oregon Laws and Rules examination within one year
PRIOR to the date of application. This examination is administered through Workday Oregon, an online examination portal which can be accessed through the internet.
The Environmental Health Specialist Trainee Oregon Laws and Rules Examination Information Bulletin will provide specific information regarding content covered within each examination domain and specific information pertaining to the study references used to source the examination.
A Workday Oregon User Guide assists candidates through the steps necessary to access the examination and print the required certificate of completion which must be submitted to the Health Licensing Office with the Environmental Health Specialist Trainee Registration Application.
The following information will provide the necessary details about the examination:
EHS Trainee Registration - Application Requirements
Once the Oregon Laws and Rules examination is taken and passed, an applicant applying for an EHS trainee registration may qualify by submiting an application; a copy of photo identification; application, examination and registration fees; and proof of documenation of one of three options:
- An official transcript demonstrating attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, at least 45 quarter hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses;
Or…
- An official transcript demonstrating attainment of having at least 15 quarter hours in science courses or their equivalent semester hours and proof of having at least five (5) years of experience in environmental health or qualifying pre-registration experience under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a supervisor possessing equal qualifications as described in OAR 338-010-0065. Qualifying pre-registration experience is obtained under ORS 700.025 or obtained in a jurisdiction that does not require registration, that is directly related to duties of an environmental health specialist;
Or…
- An official transcript demonstrating attainment of a graduate degree in public health, community health, or another environmental health field in lieu of the qualifying bachelor’s degree, pursuant to ORS 700.240(d), and at least 45 quarter hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses from an accredited college or university.
Application Process
Submit an EHS trainee registration application and all supporting documentation. The application can be found under "Forms" at the bottom of this page.
Environmental Health Trainee Status and Title
Once you have received your environmental health specialist trainee registration and begin work, please be sure to include your status as a "trainee" when presenting yourself in a professional setting. This could include things such as your title, your email signature line, your business cards, and survey reports, to name a few. Omitting the word "trainee" from your title when presenting yourself in a professional setting could constitute a violation of board laws and rules. Please refer to Oregon Revised Statute 700.020 and 676.612(2)(d); and Oregon Administrative Rule 331-020-0075(12).
Environmental Health Specialist (EHS)
EHS Registration - Application Requirements
An applicant applying for an EHS registration may qualify by submiting an application, a copy of photo identification, application and registration fees, and proof of documenation by way of one of three pathways. The application can be found under "Forms" at the bottom of this page.
Pathway One: Qualification through Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree - the applicant must:
-
Submit an official transcript demonstrating attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 45 quarter hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses. *Please note: If you are a trainee and have already submitted your transcripts, you do not need to resubmit your transcripts;
and
-
Submit proof of the equivalent of two years of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or under a person possessing equal qualifications as described in OAR 338-010-0065;
and
-
Submit proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS credential examination.
Graduate Degree - the applicant must:
-
Submit an official transcript demonstrating attainment of a graduate degree in public health, community health, or another environmental health field from an accredited college or university;
and
-
Submit proof of the equivalent of one year of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person possessing equal qualifications as described in OAR 338-010-0065;
and
-
Submit proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS credential examination.
Pathway Two: Reciprocity
Reciprocity - the applicant must:
Submit an official transcript demonstrating attainment of either:
-
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 45 hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses and two years of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person with equal qualifications pursuant to OAR 338-010-0065;
Or…
-
A graduate degree in public health, community health, or another environmental health field from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person with equal qualifications pursuant to OAR 338-010-0065.
And…
-
Submit an affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of an active registration as an environmental health specialist with no current or pending disciplinary action. The registration must have been issued by a regulatory body of another state.
-
Submit proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS credential examination.
Pathway Three: Qualification through NEHA
Qualification through NEHA - the applicant must:
-
Submit proof of having an active NEHA credential as a registered environmental health specialist or a registered sanitarian;
and
-
Submit proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS credential examination.
National Environmental Health Association Examination
Applicants for registration as an environmental health specialist must pass the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Examination.
Applicants approved to sit for the REHS examination receive a letter from HLO describing the necessary steps to take the exam. Requests to sit for the REHS examination usually take two to three weeks for processing by NEHA.
For a blueprint and study materials, visit
www.neha.org.
Forms